The U.S. restaurant industry requested to diversify avocado imports to the United States.
This request was made to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the context of the authorization for Guatemala to export this fruit to the U.S. market.
From January to November 2024, the United States registered avocado imports for a customs value of 3,454 million dollars, an inter-annual growth of 26.5%, according to data from the Department of Commerce.
U.S. restaurant industry
The avocado market is highly competitive. Various marketers and importers obtain their avocado supplies from USDA-certified independent growers in countries such as Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile and the Dominican Republic, among others.
U.S. avocado imports from around the world, in millions of dollars, are shown below:
- 2018: 2,348.
- 2019: 2,761.
- 2020: 2,443.
- 2021: 3,032.
- 2022: 3,267.
- 2023: 2,980.
- 2024 (January-November): 3,454.
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business organization for the restaurant industry. It represents nearly 1 million food and beverage establishments and a workforce of 15 million employees.
Hass avocado is the most traded variety globally. According to Calavo Growers, in California, growing areas extend from San Diego County to Monterey County. However, most production is concentrated within a 100-mile radius north and south of Los Angeles County.
California-grown Hass avocados are available primarily between April and September, reaching peak production between May and August.
Local Production
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the U.S. avocado industry has produced 400 million pounds of avocados annually since 2000. However, demand for this product in retail stores and restaurants far exceeds domestic production. As a result, the restaurant sector relies heavily on imports.
Based on current trends, the National Restaurant Association forecasts that this supply/demand imbalance will continue to grow unless significant changes in production are implemented. In addition, securing a reliable supply of avocados is crucial to addressing current supply chain issues, especially in relation to Mexico.
The Association stresses the importance of diversifying and securing a stable supply of avocados. This will help prevent disruptions and delays that could affect the U.S. industry.
International Purchases
These are U.S. avocado imports from Mexico, in millions of dollars:
- 2018: 2,071.
- 2019: 2,453.
- 2020: 2,217.
- 2021: 2,778.
- 2022: 2,871.
- 2023: 2,724.
- 2024 (January-November): 3,126.
From January to November 2024, other external suppliers to the U.S. avocado market were: Peru (US$177 million), Colombia (US$77 million), Dominican Republic (US$54 million) and Chile (US$19 million).